On October 15, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old former resident of Pacific Palisades, for starting the devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The indictment includes three counts: destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and timber set afire. With these charges, Rinderknecht now faces up to 45 years in federal prison, a significant increase from the 20 years he initially faced, along with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, began as the Lachman Fire on January 1, 2025, and resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes and the deaths of 12 people. Authorities allege that Rinderknecht, who was working as an Uber driver at the time, intentionally ignited the fire in the early morning hours of January 1. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Rinderknecht appeared agitated and angry while driving passengers the night before. After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, he parked his car, walked up a trail, and allegedly used a lighter to set fire to vegetation or paper.
Investigators found compelling evidence linking Rinderknecht to the fire. Cellphone records placed him as the only person in the area where the fire started, and he reportedly recorded videos of the blaze from a nearby hilltop while listening to a rap song with a music video featuring objects being set on fire. The complaint notes that Rinderknecht had watched this video repeatedly in the days leading up to the fire. Although he called 911 to report the blaze, he lacked service and later returned to the scene to record firefighters’ efforts.
The initial Lachman Fire was suppressed by firefighters, but it continued to smolder underground in dense vegetation. On January 7, heavy winds caused the fire to resurface and spread rapidly, becoming the catastrophic Palisades Fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classified it as a “holdover fire” due to its underground persistence.
During a January 24 interview, Rinderknecht provided details about the fire’s starting point that were not yet public, raising suspicions. He claimed to be near the bottom of a hiking trail, but authorities allege he was lying about his location. A “barbecue-style” lighter found in his car matched one seen in a photo from his apartment, and he admitted to carrying a lighter when he walked up the hill. Additionally, Rinderknecht’s ChatGPT log revealed he generated an image in July 2024 depicting a burning forest with a crowd fleeing, further suggesting his fascination with fire.
Rinderknecht was arrested on October 7 near his Florida home, where he had relocated after living in Pacific Palisades. His arraignment is expected in the coming weeks at the U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. While authorities have not publicly stated a motive, the evidence, including digital records and his actions, paints a troubling picture of intent. The additional felony charges reflect the severity of the fire’s impact, which leveled neighborhoods and left a lasting scar on the community.
